Greening Tinker:

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. O'Brien
  • Tinker Public Affairs
The "Off We Go Energy Reduction Competition" is back and is anyone's game.

Introduced last summer by Col. Steven Bleymaier, former 72nd Air Base Wing and Tinker Installation commander, the contest challenges on-base commanders to reduce energy consumption in their headquarters buildings.

"The contest is even harder this year," said Mark McWhirter, Tinker's Energy Team point-of-contact in the 72nd Air Base Wing Civil Engineering Directorate. "The units have already benefitted from last year's savings and they have to step up their game."

Last year, the 552nd Air Control Wing took home the inaugural traveling trophy. This year, it's up for grabs, but so far the 38th Cyberspace Engineering Installation Group is in the lead with an energy decrease of 11.7 percent over the same time last year. The contest began June 1 and ends Aug. 31.

"The men and women of the 552nd Air Control Wing were honored to bring home the trophy last year and it looks like this year is going to go down to the wire," said Col. Jay Bickley," 552nd ACW commander. "We are always looking for ways to cut costs and find efficiencies in our day-to-day operations and I think a little healthy competition makes us look that much harder."

The 38th CEIG shows no signs of slowing down and its personnel are vigilant at conserving energy, said 38th CEIG Commander Lt. Col. Eric DeLange.

"After taking command only two weeks ago, it was immediately evident that the 38th CEIG takes its energy saving competition seriously," he said. "Darkened hallways and other spaces and lights turned off after every meeting are just some of the indicators of all that our people are doing to reduce energy usage. It's fun to see everyone get in the spirit of a worthwhile cause - and perhaps improve their night vision while they're at it."

Competitors and their respective facilities include:
72nd ABW - Bldg. 460
Oklahoma Air Logistics Complex - Bldg. 3113**
552nd ACW - Bldg. 280
U.S. Navy Command Strategic Communications Wing One - Bldg. 830
38th Cyberspace Engineering Installation Group - Bldg. 4064
** Officials will report Bldg. 3001's energy readings only once a month versus weekly because the building's data is not readily available on a weekly basis.

Winners will be announced after the Labor Day holiday. A trophy will be presented at the September Energy Steering Group meeting.

For more information, call 734-4449 or email Mark.McWhirter@tinker.af.mil.

Greening Tinker:

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. O'Brien
  • Tinker Public Affairs
The "Off We Go Energy Reduction Competition" is back and is anyone's game.

Introduced last summer by Col. Steven Bleymaier, former 72nd Air Base Wing and Tinker Installation commander, the contest challenges on-base commanders to reduce energy consumption in their headquarters buildings.

"The contest is even harder this year," said Mark McWhirter, Tinker's Energy Team point-of-contact in the 72nd Air Base Wing Civil Engineering Directorate. "The units have already benefitted from last year's savings and they have to step up their game."

Last year, the 552nd Air Control Wing took home the inaugural traveling trophy. This year, it's up for grabs, but so far the 38th Cyberspace Engineering Installation Group is in the lead with an energy decrease of 11.7 percent over the same time last year. The contest began June 1 and ends Aug. 31.

"The men and women of the 552nd Air Control Wing were honored to bring home the trophy last year and it looks like this year is going to go down to the wire," said Col. Jay Bickley," 552nd ACW commander. "We are always looking for ways to cut costs and find efficiencies in our day-to-day operations and I think a little healthy competition makes us look that much harder."

The 38th CEIG shows no signs of slowing down and its personnel are vigilant at conserving energy, said 38th CEIG Commander Lt. Col. Eric DeLange.

"After taking command only two weeks ago, it was immediately evident that the 38th CEIG takes its energy saving competition seriously," he said. "Darkened hallways and other spaces and lights turned off after every meeting are just some of the indicators of all that our people are doing to reduce energy usage. It's fun to see everyone get in the spirit of a worthwhile cause - and perhaps improve their night vision while they're at it."

Competitors and their respective facilities include:
72nd ABW - Bldg. 460
Oklahoma Air Logistics Complex - Bldg. 3113**
552nd ACW - Bldg. 280
U.S. Navy Command Strategic Communications Wing One - Bldg. 830
38th Cyberspace Engineering Installation Group - Bldg. 4064
** Officials will report Bldg. 3001's energy readings only once a month versus weekly because the building's data is not readily available on a weekly basis.

Winners will be announced after the Labor Day holiday. A trophy will be presented at the September Energy Steering Group meeting.

For more information, call 734-4449 or email Mark.McWhirter@tinker.af.mil.